Getting Creative with Cheese Types in the Kitchen

Cheese is a dairy product created from coagulating cow, goat, buffalo, or sheep milk. These cheeses can be made with any number of textures, shapes and flavor depending on the process. The flavors is different based on the type of milk, the type of added bacteria, the process used and the amount of time it is aged. Cheese can also be flavored with the use of herbs, spices and smokes (from wood chips).

Cheese has been around since ancient times, in it existed before written records. The etymology of the word cheese can be traced all the way back to the Latin word caseus. The root word for cheese is "kwat" a proto-Indo-European word that means "to make sour, to ferment." By the time the Roman Empire was established making cheese was a sophisticated art form. Early forms of cheese were sour, and salty and crumbly (like cottage and feta cheeses).

Cheese is an excellent cooking ingredient. Cheeses are also flavorful enough that they can stand on their own as an appetizer. Cheese and meat platters are also very popular as appetizers and snack trays. Mixed with lettuce, cheese makes a great addition to salads.

One delicious recipe for salad uses spinach, cranberries, walnuts, crumbled cheese, olive oil and vinegar. Another delicious recipe is made with feta cheese, olives, oregano, red onions, green peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Melted cheese is used to make fondue dip when mixed with cheese, flour, wine and various seasonings.

Bread is a natural complement to cheese. Of course, sandwiches are always better with cheese. Many people consider grilled cheese sandwiches to be the ultimate comfort food. A few more ingredients, like turkey breast, tomato, pesto and a fancy cheese (like muenster) grilled on thick, chewy bread smeared with butter can transform the humble grilled cheese into a gourmet experience. Using different cheeses, besides the usual mozzarella, can turn homemade pizza into a special meal.

Some unusual ones to try are blue cheese and feta -- bold choices that taste delicious with pizza. Expand the pizza even more by using garlic, or chicken or mushrooms as toppings. Foods that blend traditional Mexican cooking with a Texan twist is known as "Tex Mex." This is another food that uses a lot of cheese. Traditional Mexican burritos and tacos don’t always have cheese but in the "Tex Mex" tradition dairy products like cheese and sour cream have a starring role.

Try making quesadillas at home with chicken, cheddar cheese, and basil sour cream. This delicious snack can be a full meal and will quickly become a favorite. It is easy to see why cheese is such a popular and flexible ingredient. It is fun to play around with different types of cheese -- muenster, cheddar, feat, cottage, Swiss and American are just a few of the options. Move beyond the basics (e.g. mac & cheese, grilled cheese, mozzarella sticks) and get creative -- you’re family and friends (and anyone else you cook for) will love you for it.